Ruthless Brentford punish sluggish Liverpool to deepen champions’ woes

Brentford piled more misery on defending Premier League champions Liverpool with a fully merited win at the Gtech Community Stadium, Sport360NG reports.

Liverpool’s emphatic Champions League victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in midweek appeared to have halted their slide, but this defeat laid bare the same vulnerabilities that have haunted Arne Slot’s side all season.

The Reds were undone early on when Dango Ouattara capitalised on a long throw from Michael Kayode and a flick-on by Kristoffer Ajer to give Brentford the lead inside five minutes.

The hosts maintained their intensity throughout the first half and doubled their advantage just before the break. Mikkel Damsgaard’s superb through-ball released Kevin Schade, who calmly slotted past Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Liverpool briefly rallied as Milos Kerkez, enduring another difficult night in defence, pulled one back in added time at the end of the first half. But Brentford quickly reasserted control after the restart.

A VAR review awarded the Bees a penalty on the hour mark after Virgil van Dijk was adjudged to have fouled Ouattara on the edge of the area. Igor Thiago converted confidently from the spot to make it 3-1.

Mohamed Salah’s instinctive late finish offered a glimmer of hope for the visitors, but it came too late to prevent a fourth straight league defeat and another frustrating night for Slot’s side.

The result leaves Liverpool sixth in the table, four points adrift of leaders Arsenal, who face Crystal Palace on Sunday. Brentford, meanwhile, move up to tenth after recording their fourth league win of the season.

Brentford: Andrews’ Tactical Masterclass Drives Impressive Win

Keith Andrews’ appointment as Brentford manager to succeed Thomas Frank in June was met with scepticism in some quarters, but his side’s assured performance against the champions was further proof that he is shaping a team in his own image.

Just as in their commanding 2-0 victory at West Ham earlier in the week, the scoreline flattered the opposition. Brentford’s pressing, structure, and creativity left Liverpool chasing shadows for long spells.

While Kayode’s long throws caused constant danger, it was the team’s collective discipline and energy that defined the display.

Despite losing key players Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa, and Christian Norgaard over the summer, the signings of former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, and Ouattara have blended seamlessly.

Up front, Igor Thiago continued his excellent form with his sixth league goal of the campaign, while Damsgaard’s sublime assist for Schade underlined Brentford’s growing attacking fluency.

Andrews has maintained the high standards set by Frank while injecting fresh purpose and intensity into his squad, and this latest victory was arguably the most convincing evidence yet of his potential.

Liverpool: From Frankfurt Joy to a Premier League Reality Check

Any optimism from Liverpool’s midweek demolition of Eintracht Frankfurt quickly evaporated in west London, as Slot’s side were second best throughout.

The champions looked disjointed and defensively fragile from the outset, with captain Van Dijk and his back line unable to cope with Brentford’s direct approach and high tempo.

Slot’s decision to recall Kerkez for Andrew Robertson failed to pay off, while record signing Florian Wirtz struggled to make an impact before being substituted for Joe Gomez late on.

Although Salah’s late strike, his seventh goal in eight games against Brentford, gave the scoreline a hint of respectability, Liverpool’s overall performance was worryingly subdued.

For a team that appeared rejuvenated in Europe just days earlier, this was a sobering reminder of their domestic frailties and the work still needed to restore consistency under their new manager.